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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 

•I 

Department Circular 119. 



Bureau of Plant Industry 

(New and Hare Seed Distribution), 

WM. A. TAYLOR, Chief. 



COWPEAS. 

Oh.iect of the DisTBmuTioN. — The (Ustrihution of new and rare seeds has for 

its uhJtM't tlio (lisst'iiiiiiation of new and rare crops, improved strains of staple 
crops, and hiixh-irradt' seed of crops new to sectiniis where the data of the 
Departnieiil indicaU- sii<li crops to i)e of considerable pmniise. Kach package 
contains a snllicieiil t|uaiitity for ji iireliniinaiy trial, and where it is at all 
practicable the reeipient is nrjred to use the seed for the pro<lucti<»n of stocks for 
future plantinjrs. It is believed that if this jiractice is followed consistently it 
will result in a material im|irovement in the crops of the country. Please make 
a full report on the inclosed blank reiiardinir the ivsults you obtain with the 
seed. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Tlie cowpea {Vi(/na sinvit.':>is) is a strong- <ri"()winor annual legume, 
\aiving in form and habit of growth with the variety*, soil, moisture, 
and cultural conditions. It has long occiii)ie(l an important place in 
southern agriculture, being grown extensively for forage and green 
manure. As a green-manure crop the cowpea not only greatly in- 
creases the supply of humus and nitrogen in the soil, but improves the 
mechanical condition of the soil. The feeding value of cowpea hay has 
long been recognized, as it has been used for all kinds of stock in the 
cowpea region. Cowpeas for hay production are very advantageously 
grown in mixture with sorglnmis, soy beans, Johnson grass, or Sudan 
grass. When grown with sorghum or corn in cultivated rows, an 
excellent ensilage, easily handled, is obtained. As a pasture plant the 
cowpea is especially valuable, for with the proper selection of varieties 
grazing can be had from early sunnner until late fall. The cowpea 
can be i)r()fitably grown in rotation with other crops. In the Sotith- 
ern States the cowpea is quite generally and favorably known as a 
table pea. being used in the jxid. shelled green and shelled dried. 

ADAPTATION. 

Although the cowpea is esi)ecially ada})ted to southern conditions, 
the introduction of early varieties has made its cultivation profitable 
as far north as Connecticut. Ohio, and Iowa. The cowpea will grow 
on all types of well-drained soil, thriving better on poorer soils than 
any other legume. Sandj' and loam soils tend to hasten maturity anil 
are mo.st suitable for seed production, while the heavier soils produce 
more foraire. 

INOCl'LATION. 

Natural inoculation for tlii' cowpea oc<'urs ([uite generally tiirough- 
'iit the cowpea region. TIowe\cr. in isolated sections and in the 

180971° — 20 



2 Department Circular 119, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 

Western and Northern States, where the crop has not been previously 
grown, some difficulty due to lack of inoculation may be expected. 
Inoculation may be most certainly secured by using soil from an old 
cowpea field, using from 300 to 500 pounds of soil to the acre or 
dusting the seed with some of this soil. 

CULTURE. * 

To obtain the best results, the seed bed for cowpeas should receive 
as thorough ^preparation as land for corn. Seeding should be done 
when the soil is warm and not too wet, as the seed will then germinate 
very readily. As a green-manure crop the cowpea may be sown as 
late as midsummer. Cowpeas may be sown in rows or broadcasted, 
depending upon the purpose for which the crop is grown. For the 
production of seed, planting in rows from 24 to 36 inches apart is 
the best method, Avhile for forage or soil improvement a broadcasted 
or drilled crop is preferable. When planted in rows, from 20 to 30 
pounds of seed to the acre are required ; and if broadcasted or drilled, 
60 to 90 pounds to the acre should be used. Thin planting is recom- 
mended in regions of light rainfall, and comparatively thick planting 
where there is ample moisture. The ordinary grain drill (covering 
the feed cups not in use), the corn planter, or the cotton planter may 
be used in row plantings. Cultivation should begin as soon as the 
plants appear above the ground. The crop should receive at least 
tliree cultivations. 

. HARVESTING. 

For hay, cowpeas should be cut at the time the first pods begin to 
ripen. A^Tiere seed i3 desired, cutting should be delayed until one- 
half or more of the pods are mature. In harvesting for seed produc- 
tion the mower with a bunching attachment gives excellent results, 
and the self-rake reaper can be used to advantage. 

THRASHING. 

Thrashing may be done very satisfactoril}^ with the ordinary grain 
thrasher, provided a few adjustments are made. The cylinder should 
be run at a low and an even speed, while the rest of the machine 
should be run as usual. Suitable screens should be provided and some 
of the concaves removed. Special pea and bean separators are now 
on the market and do excellent work. Where the area is small and 
the peas are picked by hand, a cowpea huller can be used to advan- 
tage. 

SEED. 

Cowpea seed is subject to attack by the pea weevil and is often 
considerably damaged in storage by this insect. By treating the 
stored peas frequently with carbon bisulphid, the weevil can be held 
in check. Seed properly stored and kept free from weevil attack will 
retain its ability to germinate for several years. 



5^ ^0 5" Cowpcas. a 

• C.'6 M ^ VARIETIES. 

Although there are a large number of varieties of cowpeas known, 
comparatively few are of prime importance. Some of the extensively 
cultivated varieties are grown under various names in different sec- 
tions of the country. The varieties of cowpeas are distinguished 
most readily by the color and size of the seed, though they differ in 
habit, maturity, disease resistance, etc. The use to be made of the 
crop should determine to a large extent the variety to be selected. 
For forage purposes the most desirable varieties are those having a 
fairly upright habit and large growth, holding their leaves well and 
producing an abundance of pods. The late vining varieties are rather 
poor in seed production. For table use, the varieties with white or 
nearly white seeds are preferred. 

Following are brief notes concerning the more important varieties: 

Whippoorwill. — A good general-purpose variety and the one most 
commonly grown. It is medium maturing, vigorous, fairly erect, 
and suitable for grain or hay production, or for both. On soils of 
medium fertility it produces its best yields of seed, Avhile on richer 
soils it tends to run to forage. The seed is mottled chocolate on a buff 
or reddish ground color. 

A^eio Era. — One of the most erect of the cowpeas, and about two 
weeks earlier than WliippoorAvill. It usually produces a heavier 
yield of seed than the AMiippoorwill, but less vine growth. The seed 
is small and bluish in color, owing to the many minute specks on a 
gray ground. 

Gro'd. — A variet}'" very similar to and often confused with the Xew 
Era. It is a hybrid between the Xew Era and "\^liippoorwill. The 
Groit is superior to both "^he Xew Era and "NMiippoorwill, as it makes 
a larger growth and fruits more heavily. ^Vn important factor is the 
persisting of the leaves on the Groit when the pods are mature. It 
is one of the most promising for forage and for seed production. The 
seed is quite similar to that of the Xew Era, but has chocolate mark- 
ings in addition to the blue specks. 

Brahham. — A hybrid between the Iron and AMiippoorwill varie- 
ties. It is quite similar in growth to the '\"\liippoorwill but is later, 
a trifle more vin}'^, and holds its leaves better on ripening. The Brab- 
ham is especially adapted to sandy soils, to the semiarid regions, 
and to sections where wilt and nematodes are prevalent, being highly 
resistant to both of these troubles. Xot only can it be grown to ad- 
vantage for forage, but it gives a good yield of seed. The seed is 
smaller but of the same markings as the A\niippoorwill. 

Iron. — A medium late-nuituring variety, yielding well in both for- 
age and seed. It is highly resistant to wilt and nematodes, and is 
therefore adapted to the same regions as the Brabham, although it is 
a valuable vsiriety under nearly nil eondition.-. The buff or clay- 
colored seed is hard and i-etains its \ itality bi'tler than most varieties. 



i-j.BKHr(T ur k<unuKt:>:^ 




4 Department Circular 119, U. S. Dept. of . 

Early Buff. — A neAv variety especially adapted "ji^'^;^";^^^ 
tions, iiiatiu'ing the first pods in about 65 da^'s. It lias an erect, 
bushy habit, and is very prolific. The Early Buff should prove to 
be a most suitable forage and seed variety for the Northern States 
where two sununer months are free from severe frosts. 

Buff Catjany. — The Catjang cowpea is a sjiecies with numerous 
varieties which have much in common with the ordinary cowpea. 
This variety has an erect, bushy habit and is very prolific. Experi- 
ments throughout the cowpea region show it to be of promise for 
forage and seed production. 

Victor. — A cross originated by the United States Department of 
Agriculture between the Groit and Brabham varieties. It has the 
tall habit of the Brabham variety and has given better yields of 
forage and seed than either of the parents. The Victor is valuable 
for both forage and seed, and it is highly resistant to wilt and 
nematodes. Seeds small, of the Brabham shape, buff, marl)led with 
brown, and sprinkled with minute blue sjDecks. 

GROUP NAMES. 

Several varietal names, such as Clay, Blackeye, Black, and Eed 
Ripper are best considered group names, as each of these terms may 
include a number of different varieties or strains. The term Clay 
is commercially applied to a group of varieties with buff-colored 
seeds; the medium-late varieties are termed Claj^, while the late 
varieties are laiown as Unknown or Wonderful. The name Black is 
generally applied' to any black-seeded noncrowder variety. Black 
cowpeas belong mainl}' to two varieties. Early Black or Congo and 
Black, the Earlv Black being 10 davs later and having larger seeds. 
The Red Ripper includes most of the cowpeas with maroon kidney- 
shaped seeds. A large number of varieties of cowpeas with black 
eyes are known under the name Blacke^'e, being most commonlv used 
for table purposes. 

SUGGESTIONS. 

A more extensiA^e use of the cowpea at the present time is no doubt 
retarded by the higli price of seed. Localities adaj^ted to the produc- 
tion of cowpea seed would find it i:)rofitable to produce seed on a large 
scale, availing themselves of all the best machinery for handling the 
crop. Cowpea seed can be produced most abundantly on sandy or 
sandj'^-loam soils of moderate fertility. 

PUBLICATIONS. 

Farmers' Bulletins 318, " CoAvpeas,'' and 5.^9, "Use of Corn, Kafir, 
and Cowpeas in the Home," giving quite complete information con- 
cerning the cultui'e and uses of the cowpea, are available for free 
distribution on api)lication to the Secretary of AgricuUure, "Wasli- 
ington, D. C. 

June 8, 1020. 

WASniNinD.N : (;iiV!:i!XME.\'r PRINT! XG OFFICE : 1920 



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